Using an inverter to run power tools will draw the batteries down. How do you anticipate to recharge them if you do not have electricity?
On the hard, no power outlet access
- Thread starter njl
- Start date
The thought was to park the car by the boat, attach the inverter to the car battery and leave the car running while using the tools.
you can try that but i can assure you that you will wind up with a gen set in the long run ...the more you rely on the power tools the more you will want to use them and at some point you will realize that you don't have enough power to run some of the tools or burn up what you have ...you need good clean power to power good power tools and if you are planning on a bottom job it will take a lot of hours with the tools to get the job done and then some night while driving home in the dark your headlights may flicker then you will drive yourself nuts wondering if you have damaged the alt in your car running the inverter to long but if you don't have a lot of tool time then you may be ok
Point well taken.
I'll think about whether renting or buying a generator is more economical.
Thanks for all the feedback.
I'll think about whether renting or buying a generator is more economical.
Thanks for all the feedback.
A generator is a device generating AC power, where as an inverter is a device that takes DC power, inverts it back to ac
An inverter needs a generator to produce the power, then convert it to DC power so it can be put it into a bank that is hopefully big enough to hold the large amount of energy necessary to be inverted back to AC so that it has enough power left after all the converting and inverting, to supply the demand.
The generator is by its nature, much more effiecient than the inverter ever could be... The inverter consumes some of the power going into it in the process of inverting some of it for your needs..
And matter how you do it, you will NEED to produce power sooner or later, because as you use the tools the power is being depleted from somewhere.
And yes, with an inverter you can run a table saw for a couple minutes while ripping a board, and then run your motor for 30 minutes replacing from your batteries what you just took from it... but the inverter is still hard on the tool motors.
A "generator" as we call it, generates AC power... its ready to use in your power tools.
An inverter needs a generator to produce the power, then convert it to DC power so it can be put it into a bank that is hopefully big enough to hold the large amount of energy necessary to be inverted back to AC so that it has enough power left after all the converting and inverting, to supply the demand.
The generator is by its nature, much more effiecient than the inverter ever could be... The inverter consumes some of the power going into it in the process of inverting some of it for your needs..
And matter how you do it, you will NEED to produce power sooner or later, because as you use the tools the power is being depleted from somewhere.
And yes, with an inverter you can run a table saw for a couple minutes while ripping a board, and then run your motor for 30 minutes replacing from your batteries what you just took from it... but the inverter is still hard on the tool motors.
There are certain differences, a generator uses a dynamo to produce power while a car uses an alternator. While both units produce electricity there are wide differences in their system design. A dynamo used in a generator is built to withstand long running times of continuous electrical output. The alternator of a car is not designed to be continuously energized for long intervals. By placing a large load on a car battery it may cause the alternator to energize continuously and overheat with damage to itself and perhaps other electrical circuits in the vehicle. There is something to be said about using the right tool for the job and a car was not designed to provide power to power tools. A 120V power tool will utilize 10 times the power that its 12V counterpart would utilize. The power draw on the car's system would be larger than it was designed for. With the cost of car repairs now days I would think about it twice. On the other hand 120V a/c power travels very well through extension cords. It can travel long distances without any significant voltage loss. Would it be possible to run 2 or 3 long extension cords from the closest outlet to where you are or are there any obstructions? Perhaps you could rent them.
Here is a quick formula that you can plug in the numbers to calculate the available voltage at various distances and gauges for extension cords. http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm
There is another reason to go with a generator vs the inverter. Lower end inverters output a modified sine wave that can cause problems with some devices. High end (expensive) inverters will output a real sine wave. If you need a power for occasional use I would recommend going with a generator from Harbor Freight. If you need it on a regular basis or for cruising go with the more expensive Honda.
An inexpensive long extension cord can be made from a 250 ft roll of 12-2 household wire and a couple of plugs. The 12 gauge wire should be enough to prevent too much of a voltage drop. Indoor rated wire is less expensive than outdoor rated wire. Indoor will work fine, just don't leave it out in the sun for days on end or in the rain. Cost will be about $60 for wire and plugs.
I agree..
With this distance the wire will handle it well but there will be a weak link at the plug and receptical where the "extension wire" plugs into the power source... 30amp connectors would be a good choice at this location.
Problem with the 30 Amp plug is that it will only fit a 30A receptacle which should have a 30A breaker. 12 GA wire is only rated to 20A. But the point is well taken, there are cheap connectors and more robust heavy duty kinds of plugs and receptacles. If you want to get fancy, get a waterproof junction box and put a 20A receptacle in it.
Extension cords get heavier as they get longer to reduce the voltage loss. I did the calculations, and have around 200 feet. It works just fine the few times we end up that far from the outlet.
The best solution is becoming good buddies with the yard crew. Somehow I haven't needed th big extension cords ove the past 5 winters!
The best solution is becoming good buddies with the yard crew. Somehow I haven't needed th big extension cords ove the past 5 winters!
And PROPANE!
They are "camp ground" quiet.
You can invert enough power. Weight about 100 lbs, cost about $4000. I would go with propane generator. Safer than gasoline and usable as backup power at house. It can use the same propane tanks as your BBQ grill.
Jim...
US Carburetion, Motor Snorkle - converts most generators (including the Honda 2000) to run on propane. DIY. If you have propane aboard, you already have the fuel. I quit using gasoline generators years ago for all the obvious fuel reasons.
If by car you mean a large PU with towing package, i.e. large and/or dual alternators, it could work. A 10 amp 120 Volt tool is going to draw 100+ amps at 12 Volts through an inverter. Most car alternators produce less than half that at highway speeds, let alone at idle.
FYI the Harbor Freight 2500 generator with inverter is currently on sale for $399 with coupon code 66952037.
http://www.harborfreight.com/2500-peak2200-running-watts-47-hp-125cc-portable-inverter-generator-61169.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiNjY5NTIwMzciLCJza3UiOiI2MTE2OSIsImlzIjoiMzk5Ljk5IiwicHJvZHVjdF9p ZCI6IjEwMTIwIn0= &utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=4715a&utm_source=1011&cid=mEmail_s1011_c4715a
http://www.harborfreight.com/2500-peak2200-running-watts-47-hp-125cc-portable-inverter-generator-61169.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiNjY5NTIwMzciLCJza3UiOiI2MTE2OSIsImlzIjoiMzk5Ljk5IiwicHJvZHVjdF9p ZCI6IjEwMTIwIn0= &utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=4715a&utm_source=1011&cid=mEmail_s1011_c4715a
If you are only using the tools for short bursts it can work but it will suck the heck out of your battery and a car at idle won't do much to charge your battery. You will also run the risk of carbon monoxide getting under your cover with a car idling nearby. If the battery is alt all weak you will be tripping out on low voltage all day long. I work in many boatyards where the outlet is well in excess of 100' away so I own both an EU2000 and I have a rig with a G-31 battery and pure sine 2000W inverter. I do have a 10GA 100' extension cord and if I am within 100' I will use it but 12GA at 100' feet has a lot of voltage drop and my power tools don't like it and can struggle, especially the buffer... For most work my M12 Milwaukee tools suffice but for heat shrinking, sanding or any buffing work I need a more constant power source than a battery powered tool. If your loads are light then 300' of 10GA wire or three 100' 10GA extension cords would be less costly than an inverter or Honda, just don't try to pull mucho amps through it and you'd be fine. Expect to pay about $0.89 to $1.20 per foot for a 10GA extension cord or you can build your own too.
I use my Milwaukee heat shrink gun off the inverter/G-31 battery and can usually get as many done as I need. Problem is the battery is tapping out at 10.5V, under load, by the end of the day. It then needs to get fully recharged as fast as is humanly possible. For any power tools with a motor I would strongly suggest a pure sine inverter. My Fein MultiMaster for example hates a modified sine wave... Also cordless tool chargers do not like modified sine inverters...
Have you considered that the cost of generator, tools, and your time to do the work yourself may not be worth it? Hiring out the heavy work to a pro to just get it done quickly might be the most cost effective option. Straightforward work like grinding and polishing is not that expensive, but benefits from the techniques and tools used by the pros.....especially when you consider all the hours of your time you will free up to work on more technical or creative projects that need your personal attention to come out right.